Report: US facing school bus driver shortage

Some students may have a difficult time getting to school this upcoming school year.

A magazine for school bus drivers reports that there is a nationwide driver shortage. Bus companies say that the shortage is so severe that they are desperate to find new drivers before school starts this September.

Mona Soliman, of Mayor Transportation, the largest bus contractor to serve the Newark Public School system, says that she needs to find at least 25 more drivers.

"I’ve heard of companies that have had to return contracts at the last minute because they're unable to find drivers,” she says.

Soliman blames an improving economy opening up better-paying jobs, and a lengthy licensing and certification process for prospective employees for the lack of drivers. She says that she’s been forced to consolidate bus routes to make up for the gaps. This sometimes adds an hour to 90 minutes to some student’s commutes to school.

“We do our best to manage that and minimize it but with the shortage, it's become increasingly difficult,” Soliman says.

Mayor Transportation has spent money trying to recruit drivers by advertising and even offering an array of signing incentives.

Anyone who wishes to find out more information about jobs with Mayor Transportation can click HERE.

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